CoolThink@JC achieves a new milestone as its computational thinking curriculum is adopted and adapted in Cambodian primary schools

Since its launch in 2016, CoolThink@JC, initiated and funded by The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust, has had a significant and widespread impact. In 2023, the Education Bureau of the HKSAR Government has adopted and adapted its learning materials as part of curriculum modules on innovation and technology education. Over 100,000 upper primary students across all publicly funded primary schools in Hong Kong have been empowered with problem-solving and creative skills for the digital age. Internationally, the programme has received multiple accolades including the QS Reimagine Education Awards, and its teaching materials have been shared worldwide. It has also been adopted by schools in the Chinese Mainland.

Last year, in another milestone, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed with Cambodia’s Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport (MoEYS) to adopt and adapt the CoolThink@JC curriculum in Cambodian primary schools. To mark the official introduction of the programme in Cambodia, an Implementation of Computational Thinking Education Launch Ceremony was held today (6 June) at MoEYS in Phnom Penh, followed by teacher exchange and training activities.

Attending guests included Dr Hang Chuon Naron, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Youth and Sports, Cambodia; Dr Kim Sethany, Permanent Secretary of State at MoEYS, Cambodia; Jackson Woo, Trustee of The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust; Sok Tha, Director of the Department of Digital Transformation at MoEYS, Cambodia; Dr Kann Puthy, Director of the Department of Primary Education at MoEYS, Cambodia; Sineth Seng, Deputy Director, Department of Digital Transformation at MoEYS, Cambodia; Winnie Ying, Head of Charities (Education & Youth Cluster) of The Hong Kong Jockey Club, and Daniel Lai, CoolThink@JC Programme Director of The Hong Kong Jockey Club.

Speaking at the ceremony, Jackson Woo said he was delighted to see how MoEYS is rolling out this approach to learning across Cambodia. He noted that the Club is a world-class horse racing and sports organisation with a single purpose of contributing to the betterment of society, and that its Charities Trust is the largest charitable donor in Asia and one of the biggest worldwide. Supporting inclusive education is one of the Club’s key priorities, particularly as students need to be digitally equipped to navigate a rapidly changing world. He added that this was the driving force behind the pioneering CoolThink@JC programme, whose impact extends beyond students to teachers through professional development and to parents through workshops, helping to drive systemic change.

He further highlighted that this collaboration is motivated by a shared commitment to promote equitable access to high-quality education as part of the Belt and Road initiative, which is designed to strengthen international trade, connectivity and economic growth. The partnership has established a foundation for cross-border educational initiatives, including collaborative research and student exchange programmes, which can inspire impactful learning for students across Asia. He also expressed deep gratitude to the HKSAR Government for its ongoing support, which has been crucial to making this collaboration possible.

Under the collaboration with MoEYS, CoolThink@JC’s curricular materials will be introduced in 100 public schools in Cambodia, between 2025 and 2028, benefiting around 30,000 students and 500 teachers. By enhancing students’ computational thinking and problem-solving skills, the initiative aims to bridge the digital divide and support the development of Cambodia’s education system.

The collaboration also promotes knowledge exchange between educators in Hong Kong and Cambodia, fostering regional networks and supporting future cooperation such as research partnerships and student exchanges. It is expected to enhance teaching practices and create more inclusive and impactful learning environments across the region.

The Club’s support for CoolThink@JC, like all its charity and community donations, is made possible by its unique integrated business model through which racing and responsible sports wagering generate substantial tax contributions, charity support and employment opportunities for Hong Kong.

Group photo.

CoolThink@JC team visits public primary school in Cambodia implementing the CoolThink@JC curriculum.

Dr Hang Chuon Naron, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Youth and Sports, Cambodia (5th left); Jackson Woo, Trustee of The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust (5th right) and other guests officiate at the Implementation of Computational Thinking Education Launch Ceremony.

Jackson Woo, Trustee of The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust delivers a speech at the Implementation of Computational Thinking Education Launch Ceremony.

Dr Hang Chuon Naron, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Youth and Sports, Cambodia (left) and Jackson Woo, Trustee of The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust (right) exchange gifts.

CoolThink@JC textbook Cambodia translation edition.

A Certification of Appreciation from Cambodia’s Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport to the Trust.

Beef and beef congee samples found to contain sulphur dioxide

The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced today (June 6) that two beef samples collected from a licensed food factory in North District were found to contain sulphur dioxide, contravening the provisions on preservative of the Preservatives in Food Regulation (Cap. 132BD) (the Regulation). The CFS is following up on the incident. The food factory concerned has suspended its business.

A spokesman for the CFS said, "Subsequent to the earlier announcement that a beef congee sample taken from a licensed general restaurant in Wah Kwai Estate, Aberdeen, was found to contain sulphur dioxide, a follow-up investigation by the CFS revealed that the beef concerned was suspected to be supplied by the licensed food factory mentioned above. The CFS has immediately taken follow-up action and collected beef samples from the relevant food factory for testing. The test results showed that the two beef samples contained sulphur dioxide at a level of 7 700 parts per million (ppm) and 8 300 ppm respectively."

"As instructed by the CFS, the concerned licensed general restaurant in Wah Kwai Estate, Aberdeen has earlier stopped the sale of the relevant beef congee. The CFS had collected another beef congee sample for follow-up investigation before the restaurant concerned stopped selling the relevant product, and the test result showed that the beef congee sample contained sulphur dioxide at a level of 540 ppm," the spokesman added.

The CFS has informed the food factory concerned of the irregularities and instructed it to stop the sale of the products concerned and discard relevant raw materials. During an inspection to the food factory concerned, stains were detected in several areas of the premises, and a gap at the door was found. Prosecution was then initiated to the relevant person; and a Notice of Elimination of Vermin was issued under the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance (Cap. 132) Section 47(1), requiring the person-in-charge of the premises to adopt necessary procedures to remove any items causing rodent infestation within specified time frame, failing which prosecution will be instituted.

According to the Regulation, contravening relevant provisions on preservatives is liable to a maximum fine of $50,000 and six months' imprisonment.

Sulphur dioxide is a preservative which can be used in a variety of foods including dried vegetables, dried fruits, pickled vegetables and salted fish products, but under the Regulation it is not permitted in fresh or chilled meat. Individual meat traders have been found illegally using sulphur dioxide to make meat look fresher. Sulphur dioxide is water-soluble, and most of it can be removed through washing and cooking. However, susceptible individuals who are allergic to this preservative may experience breathing difficulties, headaches and nausea after consumption.

The CFS will continue to follow up on the incidents and take appropriate action. Prosecution will be instituted for the violation of the Regulation. The investigation is ongoing.

Source: AI-found images